Display assemblies for providing compressive forces at electronic display layers

ABSTRACT

A display assembly includes a structural framework, a cover forward of an electronic display layer, and an illumination device rearward of the electronic display layer. A rear passageway is provided between a rear portion of the structural framework and a rear surface of the illumination device and is in fluid communication with a front passageway between a rear surface of the cover and a forward surface of the electronic display layer and an illumination device passageway between a rear surface of the electronic display layer and a front surface of the illumination device. A closed loop fan unit adjacent to an entrance to the front passageway and the illumination device passageway creates flows of circulating gas therethrough when activated.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application makes no priority claim.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Exemplary embodiments relate generally to display assemblies configuredto provide compressive forces at on one or more electronic displaylayers, such as on one or both sides of electronic display layers.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Certain electronic display layers, such as those comprising liquidcrystals, are relatively thin. These electronic display layers are oftenstretched over a relatively large area. In some cases, these electronicdisplay layers may only be supported at a perimeter. This may subjectthe electronic display layers to distortion by external forces, such asair pressure. Such distortions may result in various optical or otherperformance issues. These issues become particularly problematic whenrelatively large displays are utilized because relatively small airpressures experienced over a large area result in application ofsignificant net forces. It is known to provide air on either side of anelectronic display layer to create a pressure differential which reducesor eliminates bowing of the electronic display layer, such as is shownand/or described in U.S. Pat. No. 10,398,066 issued Aug. 27, 2019.

It is known to provide various optical layers at the electronics displaylayer and/or a cover for the same including, but not limited to,polarizing films, anti-reflective coatings, combinations thereof, or thelike to improve optical qualities of displayed images. In certain cases,it may be desirable to provide compressive forces on one or both sidesof an electronic display layer to prevent or eliminate cell breach ofthe electronic display layer and/or mechanical separation of opticallayers. What is needed is a display assembly which provides compressiveforces on one or both sides of an electronic display layer.

Display assemblies which provide compressive forces on one or both sidesof an electronic display layer, and methods related to the same, areprovided. The display assemblies may include one or more closed loopairflow pathways. At least one of the closed loop airflow pathways mayinclude a front passageway which extends between a cover for theelectronic display layer and the electronic display layer itself as wellas an illumination device passageway which extends between theelectronic display layer and an illumination device for the electronicdisplay layer. A rear passageway extending behind the illuminationdevice may be in fluid communication with both the front passageway andthe illumination device passageway to complete the closed loop airflowpathway, which may encircle the illumination device and/or theelectronic display layer.

A closed loop fan unit may be positioned adjacent to an entrance to thefront passageway and the illumination device passageway in exemplaryembodiments. The closed loop fan unit may be configured to pushcirculating gas through the front passageway and illumination devicepassageway when activated. The closed loop fan unit may be configured togenerate a relatively high-pressure area at a first side of the closedloop fan unit facing the entrance to the front passageway andillumination device passageway such that such a relatively high-pressureflow is created within at least a portion of the front passageway andillumination device passageway when activated. The closed loop fan unitmay be configured to generate a relatively low-pressure area at anopposing side of the closed loop fan unit facing the rear passagewaywhen activated such that a relatively low-pressure flow is createdwithin the rear passageway when activated. When operated, the closedloop fan unit may be configured to generate a pressure differential onone or both sides of the electronic display layer such that a pressureof a flow of the circulating gas in the front passageway is higher thana pressure of a flow of the circulating gas in the illumination devicepassageway. This may result in inward directed net forces at theelectronic display layer which forces the electronic display layerrearward towards the illumination device, thereby reducing oreliminating bowing of the electronic display layer. This arrangement maybe configured to create a positive pressure relative to ambient at oneor both of a front and/or rear surface of the electronic display layer(e.g., in the front passageway and/or the illumination devicepassageway) so as to provide compressive forces at the front and/or rearside of the electronic display layer. This may prevent cell breach inthe electronic display layer and/or mechanical separation of the opticallayers from either or both of the electronic display layer and thecover. Optical spikes may be provided between the electronic displaylayer and the illumination device, such as within the illuminationdevice passageway, to limit or prevent rearward movement of theelectronic display layer towards the illumination device to preventvisual distortions.

In other exemplary embodiments, the closed loop fan unit may bepositioned at an exit of the front passageway and illumination devicepassageway. The closed loop fan unit, in such embodiments, may beconfigured to draw circulating gas through the front passageway and theillumination device passageway. The closed loop fan unit, in suchembodiments, may be configured to generate a relatively low-pressurearea at the exit to the front passageway and the illumination devicepassageway and/or a relatively high-pressure area at an opposing side ofthe closed loop fan unit oriented towards the rear passageway whenactivated. In such embodiments, the closed loop fan unit may beconfigured to create a negative pressure relative to ambient within someor all of the front passageway and/or illumination device passagewaysuch that a pressure of a flow of the circulating gas in the frontpassageway is higher than a pressure of a flow of the circulating gas inthe illumination device passageway, even if one or both are negativerelative to pressure of ambient air. Such an arrangement may permitcreation of differential pressures sufficient to reduce or eliminatebowing of the electronic display layer.

The display assemblies may include multiple electronic display layers inexemplary embodiments. Where multiple electronic display layers areutilized, a single rear passageway may be common to at least two of themultiple electronic display layers. The display assemblies may includeone or more open loop airflow pathways for ambient air. One or more openloop fan units may be provided for forcing ambient air through the openloop airflow pathways when operated. A structural framework may be usedto secure and/or house the various components of the display assemblies.The closed loop fan units may be mounted within the rear passageways, inexemplary embodiments. Electronic components for operating theelectronic display layers may be provided within the rear passageway.

Pressure sensors may be provided to monitor the differential pressurecreated, pressures of circulating gas within one or both of the frontpassageway and illumination device passageway and/or pressures ofambient air. Such sensors may be in electronic communication with one ormore controllers. Operation of the closed loop fan units and/or openloop fan units may be adjusted, such as by the controllers, in responseto readings from the sensors. For example, speed or duration ofoperation of the closed loop fan units may be adjusted to maintain thedesired pressure differential and/or positive pressure relative toambient within one or both of the front passageway and/or illuminationdevice passageway.

Further features and advantages of the systems and methods disclosedherein, as well as the structure and operation of various aspects of thepresent disclosure, are described in detail below with reference to theaccompanying figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In addition to the features mentioned above, other aspects of thepresent invention will be readily apparent from the followingdescriptions of the drawings and exemplary embodiments, wherein likereference numerals across the several views refer to identical orequivalent features, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary display assembly indicatingsection lines A-A;

FIG. 2A is a top sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of thedisplay assembly of FIG. 1 taken along section line A-A;

FIG. 2B is a top sectional view of another exemplary embodiment of thedisplay assembly of FIG. 1 taken along section line A-A;

FIG. 3A is a perspective sectional view of an exemplary embodiment ofthe display assembly of FIG. 1 taken along section line A-A;

FIG. 3A1 is a top sectional view of the display assembly of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3A2 is a detailed perspective view of detail A of FIG. 3A1;

FIG. 3A3 is a detailed perspective view of detail C of FIG. 3A2;

FIG. 3A4 is a detailed top sectional view of detail A of FIG. 3A1;

FIG. 3A5 is a detailed top sectional view of detail B of FIG. 3A1;

FIG. 3B is a perspective sectional view of another exemplary embodimentof the display assembly of FIG. 1 taken along section line A-A;

FIG. 4A is a top sectional view of the display assembly of anotherexemplary embodiment of the display assembly of FIG. 1 taken alongsection line A-A; and

FIG. 4B is a top sectional view of the display assembly of anotherexemplary embodiment of the display assembly of FIG. 1 taken alongsection line A-A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT(S)

Various embodiments of the present invention will now be described indetail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the followingdescription, specific details such as detailed configuration andcomponents are merely provided to assist the overall understanding ofthese embodiments of the present invention. Therefore, it should beapparent to those skilled in the art that various changes andmodifications of the embodiments described herein can be made withoutdeparting from the scope and spirit of the present invention. Inaddition, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions areomitted for clarity and conciseness.

Embodiments of the invention are described herein with reference toillustrations of idealized embodiments (and intermediate structures) ofthe invention. As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrationsas a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances,are to be expected. Thus, embodiments of the invention should not beconstrued as limited to the particular shapes of regions illustratedherein but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example,from manufacturing.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary electronic display assembly(hereinafter also a “unit”) 10 in accordance with the present invention.The unit 10 may include a structural framework 12. The structuralframework 12 may be configured for mounting to a ground surface, such asa sidewalk or street, mounting to a wall or other surface, incorporationinto street furniture (e.g., phone booths, bus shelters, benches,railings, combinations thereof, or the like), combinations thereof, orthe like. The structural framework 12 may comprise one or more members,panels, cladding, panels, housings, combinations thereof, or the like.

The units 10 may comprise one or more electronic display subassemblies14. Some or all of the electronic display subassemblies 14 may beattached to the structural framework 12 in a moveable manner, thoughsuch is not required. For example, the electronic display subassemblies14 may be attached to the structural framework in a hinged manner topermit selective movement between a closed position whereby certainparts of the units 10 are fully or partially sealed, and an openposition whereby certain parts of the interior of the unit 10 areexposed for access.

One or more intakes and exhausts 16 may be provided at the units 10 foringesting and exhausting ambient air.

FIG. 2A through FIG. 4B illustrate various exemplary embodiments ofairflow pathways within the units 10. FIGS. 2A-3B illustrate exemplaryunits 10 a 1, 10 a 2 with a single electronic display subassembly 14.FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate exemplary units 10 b 1, 10 b 2 with twoelectronic display subassemblies 14 a, 14 b placed in a back-to-backarrangement. Any number of electronic display subassemblies 14 may beutilized in any arrangement with the structural framework 12. Similar orthe same components used in conjunction with units 10 having multipleelectronic display subassemblies 14 may use the same numbering with theaddition of an “a”, “b” and/or “1”, “2”, etc. (e.g., 14 to 14 a, 14 b,19 a to 19 a 1, 19 a 2). Any features or arrangements shown and/ordescribed with respect to any of the embodiments of the units 10 a 1, 10a 2, 10 b 1, 10 b 2 (sometimes referred to collectively as “unit 10” or“units 10” herein) may be used with any other embodiment of the units10.

Each electronic display subassembly 14 may comprise an illuminationdevice 15. In exemplary embodiments, the illumination device 15 maycomprise a number of lighting elements, such as LEDs, provided at asubstrate, such as a printed circuit board. Each electronic displaysubassembly 14 may comprise an electronic display layer 13. Theelectronic display layer 13 may comprise a layer of liquid crystals,such as for a liquid crystal display, though any type or kind ofelectronic display may be utilized. In exemplary embodiments, theillumination device 15 may be provided rearward of the electronicdisplay layer 13 to serve as a direct backlight. In other exemplaryembodiments, the illumination device 15 may comprise one or morediffusive and/or transmissive layers and the substrate and/or lightingelements may be positioned about the edge of the electronic displaylayer 13 to provide edge lighting to the same.

The electronic display layer 13 and/or illumination device 15 may bepositioned rearward of a cover 11. The cover 11 may comprise one or morelayers of a transparent or translucent material(s). In exemplaryembodiments, each cover 11 may comprise two layers bonded with anoptically clear adhesive, which may provide increased impact protection.One or more polarizers, anti-reflective materials, combinations thereof,or the like may be disposed on some or all of the cover 11 as a coating,film, layer, combinations thereof, or the like. The cover 11 may formpart of the electronic display subassembly 14 or may be separatetherefrom. The cover 11 and the structural framework 12 may togethersubstantially enclose the units 10, such as with intakes/exhausts 16exempted, when the subassemblies 14 are placed in a closed position. Thecover 11 may be configured to move with the electronic displaysubassembly 14, may be configured for independent movement, and/or maybe fixed to the structural framework 12. Each of the electronic displaysubassemblies 14 may be connected to the structural framework 12 in ahinged or otherwise movable manner, though such is not required.

A single or multiple such electronic display subassemblies 14 may beprovided at a single unit 10, such as, but not limited to, in aback-to-back arrangement. The electronic display subassemblies 14 may beof the same or different type and may comprise the same or differentcomponents. The electronic display subassemblies 14 may be provided inany arrangement such as portrait or landscape.

The intakes and/or exhausts 16 may be fluidly connected to one or moreopen loop airflow pathways 23 within the units 10. A respective one ofthe open loop airflow pathways 23 a, 23 b may extend through arespective one of the electronic display subassemblies 14 a, 14 b inexemplary embodiments such that an open loop airflow pathway 34 isprovided for each one of the electronic display subassemblies 14, whichmay be entirely separate, or separated for a distance and rejoined. Forexample, without limitation, the open loop airflow pathways 23 mayextend behind and along at least a portion of the illumination devices15 for the electronic display layer 13 for accepting flows 17 a, 17 b ofambient air. The open loop airflow pathways 23 may comprise one or morecorrugated layers 25 in exemplary embodiments.

One or more closed loop airflow pathways may be provided within theunits 10. In exemplary embodiments, such closed loop airflow pathwaysmay comprise at least a front passageway 26, which may extend betweenthe cover 11 and the electronic display layer 13. Such closed loopairflow pathways may comprise a rear passageway 21, which may extendbehind the electronic display subassembly 14, and/or behind theelectronic display layer 13. Such closed loop airflow pathways mayextend entirely within the unit 10, such as within outer boundaries ofthe structural framework 12. Where multiple electronic displaysubassemblies 14 a, 14 b are utilized, the rear passageway 21 may becommon to at least two of the electronic display subassemblies 14 a, 14b, though such is not required. A heat exchanger 31 may be locatedwithin the rear passageway 21, though such is not required. The heatexchanger 31 may comprise a multilayer heat exchanger configured toaccommodate a common flow 19 c of the circulating gas through at leastsome of the layers as well as one or more flows 17 c of ambient airthrough at least some other ones of the layers.

Various electronic components 35 for operating the unit 10 may beprovided within the rear passageway 21. The electronic components 35 mayinclude, for example, without limitation, video players, power supplies,processors, electronic storage devices, controllers 37, sensors 44,combinations thereof, or the like. Any number, type, and/or kind ofcomponents 35 may be utilized.

An illumination device passageway 27 a, 27 b may extend between each ofthe electronic display layers 13 a, 13 b and the respective illuminationdevices 15 a, 15 b. A flow of circulating gas 19 c within the rearpassageway 21 may be separated such that a first portion 19 a flowsthrough the front passageway 26 and a second portion 19 b flows throughthe illumination device passageway 27. The flows 19 a, 19 b may berecombined, such as in the rear passageway 21.

One or more open loop fan units 18 may be provided. The same ofdifferent open loop fan units 18 may be associated with each of the openloop airflow pathways 23. The open loop fan units 18 may be configuredto ingest ambient air 17 into the units 10, exhaust ambient air 17 fromthe assembly 10, and/or move ingested ambient air 17 through the one ormore open loop airflow pathways 23 when activated. Multiple open loopfan units 18 a, 18 b may be used where multiple electronic displaysubassemblies 14 a, 14 b are utilized, for example, or such open loopfan units 18 may be common to multiple ones of the electronic displaysubassemblies 14 of such units 10.

One or more closed loop fan units 20 may be provided. Each closed loopfan unit 20 may comprise one or more fans or the same of different type.The same or different closed loop fan units 20 may be associated witheach of the closed loop airflow pathways. The closed loop fan units 20may be configured to move circulating gas through said one or moreclosed loop airflow pathways when activated. The closed and open loopfan units 20, 18 may comprise axial fans, centrifugal fans, combinationsthereof, or the like. Any number or type of fan units 20, 18 may be usedat any location in the units 10, and may be provided in banks or sets.The open loop airflow pathways 23 may be separate from the closed loopairflow pathways, though a complete (e.g., gas impermeable) separationis not necessarily required. The same closed loop fan units 20 may beused to move circulating gas through the front passageways 26 a, 26 band/or illumination device passageways 27 a, 27 b of multiple electronicdisplay subassemblies 14 a, 14 b where such multiple electronic displaysubassemblies 14 a, 14 b are provided for a unit 10, though such is notrequired.

The unit 10 may comprise a controller 37 and/or one or more sensors 44.The sensors 44 may comprise, for example, without limitation,temperature sensors, fan speed sensors, airflow sensors, humiditysensors, relative humidity sensors, air pressure sensors, differentialpressure sensors, location sensors, moisture sensors, combinationsthereof, or the like. Any type, kind, or number of sensors 44 may beutilized at any number of locations within the units 10. In exemplaryembodiments, at least certain of the sensors 44 may comprise tubes orother fluid passageways to connect the sensor(s) 44 to other parts ofthe units 10 and/or the ambient environment. This may provide forflexibility in placement and design. Any type, kind, or number ofcontrollers 31 may be utilized at any number of locations within theunits 10. Such sensors 44 and/or controller 37 are not necessarilyrequired, and may be omitted from view of certain embodiments providedherein to more clearly illustrate other components. However, suchsensors 44 and/or controller 37 may be utilized in the same or similararrangements in such embodiments, even where not expressly provided inthe figures.

The one or more closed loop fan units 20 may be configured to create apressure differential. For example, an intake side of each closed loopfan unit 20 may be configured to generate a relatively low-pressure areaor flow and an exhaust side may be configured to generate a relativelyhigh-pressure area or flow. As illustrated with particular regard toFIGS. 2A, 3A-3A5, and 4A, in exemplary embodiments, one or more of theclosed loop fan units 20 may be positioned adjacent to an exhaust forthe front passageway 26 and/or the illumination device passageway 27.For example, without limitation, the closed loop fan units 20 in suchembodiments may be positioned at a portion of the rear passageway 21adjacent to an exit from one or both of the front passageway 26 and theillumination device passageway 27 for generating the flows 19 a and/or19 b within the front passageway 26 and the illumination devicepassageway 27 by pulling the circulating gas into an intake side of theclosed loop fan unit 20, and generating the flow 19 c within the rearpassageway 21 by pushing the circulating gas out an exhaust side of theclosed loop fan unit 20. Because the intake, relatively low-pressureside, of the closed loop fan units 20 is fluidly adjacent to the frontpassageway 26 and/or the illumination device passageway 27, the pressureof the flows 19 a and/or 19 b, particularly near the exit of the frontpassageway 26 and/or the illumination device passageway 27, may bemaintained at a relatively low level, such as negative relative topressure of ambient air outside of the units 10, though such is notnecessarily required.

Alternatively, without limitation, the one or more of the closed loopfan units 20 may be positioned at a portion of the rear passageway 21adjacent to an entrance into one or both of the front passageway 26 andthe illumination device passageway 27 for generating the flows 19 aand/or 19 b through the front passageway 26 and the illumination devicepassageway 27 by pushing the circulating gas through the frontpassageway 26 and the illumination device passageway 27. Because theexhaust, relatively high-pressure side of the closed loop fan units 20is fluidly adjacent to the front passageway 26 and/or the illuminationdevice passageway 27, the pressure of the flows 19 a and/or 19 b,particularly at the entrances to the front passageway 26 and theillumination device passageway 27, may be maintained at a relativelyhigh level, such as greater than pressure of ambient air outside of theunits 10, though such is not necessarily required.

The front passageway 26 and/or the rear passageway 21 may be configuredto create and maintain a pressure differential between the flows 19 aand 19 b of the circulating gas in the front passageway 26 and/or therear passageway 21 sufficient to generate net forces at the electronicdisplay layers 13 which reduces or eliminates bowing of the electronicdisplay layers 13. In exemplary embodiments, the pressure of the flow 19a in the front passageway 26 may be maintained at a higher level thanthe flow 19 b in the illumination device passageway 27, resulting inrearward forces against the electronic display layer 13 to reduce oreliminate outward bowing. Such pressure differentials may be generatedusing features including, but not limited to, those shown and/ordescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 10,398,066 issued Aug. 27, 2019, thedisclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference as if fullyrestated herein.

In exemplary embodiments, without limitation, one or more intakeopenings 53 a, 53 b into the illumination device passageway 27 from therear passageway 21 may be larger than one or more exit openings 55 a, 55b from the illumination device passageway 27 to the rear passageway 21.In this manner, more circulating gas may be ingested into theillumination device passageway 27 than is readily able to exit, therebyraising average pressure in the illumination device passageway 27.

As shown with particular regard to FIGS. 3A1-3A5, the electronic displaylayer 13 may be held in place by one or more brackets 51 a, 51 b. Thebrackets 51 may define, at least in part, the one or more intakeopenings 53 a, 53 b and/or the one or more exit openings 55 a, 55 b. Atleast some of the brackets 51 may comprise protrusions 57 configured tomaintain relatively spacing for the intake openings 53 and/or the exitopenings 55.

One or more of the closed loop fan units 20 may be provided wholly orpartially within one or more housings 59. The housings 59 may beconfigured to direct circulating gas in an appropriate direction, suchas between the front passageway 26 and/or the illumination devicepassageway 27 into the rear passageway 21, or vice versa.

In exemplary embodiments, positive pressure may be maintained in onlythe front passageway 26 and/or relatively high pressure may bemaintained in the front passageway 26 (e.g., relative to pressure in theflow 19 b in the illumination device passageway 27) such that theelectronic display layer 13 is pushed towards the illumination device 15when the closed loop fan unit 20 is operated. Optical spikes 29 or othersupport structures may be utilized within the illumination devicepassageway 27 to reduce or eliminate movement of the electronic displaylayer 13 towards the illumination device 15, such as past the opticalspikes 29. The optical spikes 29 may comprise one or more opticallytransmissible materials. The optical spikes 29 may comprise rods, cones,or the like positioned within the illumination device cavity 27 and maybe configured to limit or prevent rearward travel of the electronicdisplay layer 13. The optical spikes 29 may exert normal, compressiveforces on the electronic display layer 13, particularly in conjunctionwith the pressure of the flow 19 a of the circulating gas within thefront passageway 26. This may be particularly beneficial when unable togenerate positive or sufficiently high pressure for the flow 19 b of thecirculating gas within the illumination device passageway 27. This mayoccur, for example, without limitation, due to variations in ambient airand/or circulating gas pressure. Circulating gas pressure, inparticular, may vary due to temperature variations in the circulatinggas (e.g., due to solar loading) and/or ambient temperatures, which mayaffect the unit's 10 ability to remove heat in air-to-air heat exchange.

In exemplary embodiments, the pressure of the circulating gas in thefront passageway 26 and the illumination device passageway 27 may beregularly, sporadically, and/or continuously monitored and operationsmay be adjusted based on such measurements. Such operations may includethe speed or other operation of the closed loop fans 20. Such operationsmay be adjusted to desired pressures in the front passageway 26 and theillumination device passageway 27, such as positive pressures in one orboth, and/or desired differential pressure between the same.

Any number, type, kind, and/or arrangement of such optical spikes 29 maybe utilized. In embodiments where more than one electronic display layer13 a, 13 b is utilized, more than one set of optical spikes 29 a, 29 bfor each respective one of the electronic display layers 13 a, 13 b ofthe same or different type may likewise be utilized, though such is notrequired. Such optical spikes 29 are not necessarily required, and maybe omitted from view of certain embodiments provided herein to moreclearly illustrate other components. However, such optical spikes 29 maybe utilized in the same or similar arrangements in such embodiments,even if not expressly provided in the figures.

Any embodiment of the present invention may include any of the featuresof the other embodiments of the present invention. The exemplaryembodiments herein disclosed are not intended to be exhaustive or tounnecessarily limit the scope of the invention. The exemplaryembodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the principlesof the present invention so that others skilled in the art may practicethe invention. Having shown and described exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention, those skilled in the art will realize that manyvariations and modifications may be made to the described invention.Many of those variations and modifications will provide the same resultand fall within the spirit of the claimed invention. It is theintention, therefore, to limit the invention only as indicated by thescope of the claims.

Certain operations described herein may be performed by one or moreelectronic devices. Each electronic device may comprise one or moreprocessors, electronic storage devices, executable softwareinstructions, and the like configured to perform the operationsdescribed herein. The electronic devices may be general purposecomputers or specialized computing devices. The electronic devices maycomprise personal computers, smartphone, tablets, databases, servers, orthe like. The electronic connections and transmissions described hereinmay be accomplished by wired or wireless means. The computerizedhardware, software, components, systems, steps, methods, and/orprocesses described herein may serve to improve the speed of thecomputerized hardware, software, systems, steps, methods, and/orprocesses described herein.

1. A display assembly for providing compressive forces at an electronicdisplay layer, said display assembly comprising: a structural frameworkfor said electronic display layer; a cover provided forward of saidelectronic display layer; an illumination device provided rearward ofsaid electronic display layer; a front passageway between a rear surfaceof said cover and a forward surface of said electronic display layer; anillumination device passageway between a rear surface of said electronicdisplay layer and a front surface of said illumination device; a rearpassageway between a rear portion of said structural framework and arear surface of said illumination device in fluid communication withsaid front passageway and said illumination device passageway; and aclosed loop fan unit positioned adjacent to an entrance to said frontpassageway and said illumination device passageway, wherein said closedloop fan unit is configured to create a first flow of circulating gasthrough said front passageway and a second flow of said circulating gasthrough said illumination device passageway when activated.
 2. Thedisplay assembly of claim 1 wherein: said closed loop fan unit isconfigured to push said circulating gas through said front passagewayand said illumination device passageway when activated.
 3. The displayassembly of claim 1 wherein: said closed loop fan unit is oriented toprovide a relatively high-pressure side facing said entrance to saidfront passageway and said entrance to said illumination devicepassageway.
 4. The display assembly of claim 1 further comprising: aclosed loop airflow pathway comprising said front passageway, saidillumination device passageway, and said rear passageway, wherein saidclosed loop airflow pathway encircles said electronic display layer. 5.The display assembly of claim 4 further comprising: an open loop airflowpathway for ambient air; and an open loop fan unit configured to forcesaid ambient air through said open loop airflow pathway when activated.6. The display assembly of claim 5 wherein: said open loop airflowpathway extends rearward of said illumination device.
 7. (canceled) 8.The display assembly of claim 5 wherein: said closed loop airflowpathway and said open loop airflow pathway are configured to maintainseparation between said circulating gas in said closed loop airflowpathway and said ambient air in said open loop airflow pathway.
 9. Thedisplay assembly of claim 1 wherein: said electronic display layercomprises a layer of liquid crystals; and said illumination devicecomprises a number of LEDs provided at a substrate.
 10. The displayassembly of claim 1 wherein: said closed loop fan unit is configured topull said circulating gas through said front passageway and saidillumination device passageway when activated.
 11. The display assemblyof claim 1 wherein: said closed loop fan unit is oriented to provide arelatively low-pressure side facing said entrance to said frontpassageway and said entrance to said illumination device passageway. 12.The display assembly of claim 1 wherein: said closed loop fan unit isconfigured to cause pressure of said first flow of said circulating gasto be higher than pressure of ambient air outside of said displayassembly when activated.
 13. The display assembly of claim 12 furthercomprising: optical spikes placed within said illumination devicepassageway for limiting rearward travel of said electronic displaylayer.
 14. The display assembly of claim 12 wherein: said closed loopfan unit is configured to cause pressure of said second flow of saidcirculating gas to be higher than pressure of ambient air outside ofsaid display assembly by a lesser amount than said pressure of saidfirst flow of said circulating gas when activated.
 15. The displayassembly of claim 14 further comprising: a differential pressure sensorconfigured to measure the pressure of the ambient air outside of thedisplay assembly and the pressure of the circulating gas in at least oneof the front passageway and the illumination device passageway.
 16. Thedisplay assembly of claim 15 further comprising: a controller inelectronic communication with said differential pressure sensor and saidclosed loop fan unit configured to adjust operations of said closed loopfan unit in response to measurements from said differential pressuresensor.
 17. The display assembly of claim 1 wherein: said closed loopfan unit is configured to cause pressure of said first flow of saidcirculating gas to be lower than pressure of ambient air outside of saiddisplay assembly when activated.
 18. The display assembly of claim 1wherein: said closed loop fan unit comprises centrifugal fans.
 19. Thedisplay assembly of claim 1 wherein: said closed loop fan unit comprisesmultiple fans.
 20. A method for providing compressive forces at anelectronic display layer, said method comprising the steps of: pushing afirst flow of circulating gas through a front passageway between a coverpositioned forward of said electronic display layer and a forwardsurface of said electronic display layer; pushing a second flow of saidcirculating gas through an illumination device passageway between anillumination device positioned rearward of said electronic display layerand a rear surface of said electronic display layer; and pulling acombined flow of said circulating gas comprising said first flow andsaid second flow of said circulating gas through a rear passagewaylocated between said illumination device and a rear portion of astructural framework for said electronic display layer; wherein saidpushing and pulling steps are performed by a closed loop fan unitpositioned adjacent to entrances to said front passageway andillumination device passageway.
 21. The method of claim 20 furthercomprising the steps of: maintaining at least the first flow of saidcirculating gas at a pressure higher than a pressure of ambient air; andproviding optical spikes between said illumination device and saidelectronic display layer to limit rearward movement of said electronicdisplay layer.
 22. A double-sided display assembly for providingcompressive forces at electronic display layers, said double-sideddisplay assembly comprising: a structural framework for said electronicdisplay layers; covers provided forward of each respective one of saidelectronic display layers; illumination devices provided rearward ofeach respective one of said electronic display layers; front passagewayslocated between a rear surface of each respective one of said covers anda forward surface of each respective one of said electronic displaylayers; illumination device passageways located between rear surfaces ofeach respective one of said electronic display layers and front surfacesof each respective one of said illumination devices; optical spikesprovided within the illumination device passageways; a common rearpassageway between said electronic display layers and configured toaccept circulating gas from said front passageway and said illuminationdevice passageways; and a closed loop fan unit positioned adjacent tosaid entrances to each respective one of said front passageways and saidillumination device passageways, said closed loop fan unit comprising ahousing, a fan positioned within said housing, and at least one gasketprovided at said housing, wherein said closed loop fan unit isconfigured to create flows of circulating gas through each respectiveone of said front passageways and flows of said circulating gas througheach respective one of said illumination device passageways whenactivated.
 23. The display assembly of claim 1 wherein: said closed loopfan unit comprises a housing, a fan positioned within said housing, andat least one gasket provided at said housing to at least partially sealsaid housing with respect to said entrance to said front passageway andsaid illumination device passageway.